A cost-effective
approach to field calibration of thermocouples and PRT sensors
permits fast and economical probe evaluation with National Standards
traceability.

The Labfacility
"mini-lab system" includes everything required for
"local" highly precise calibration of Thermocouple
and Pt100 probes. Considerable savings in time and expense can
be achieved by using such a system instead of sending platinum
resistance thermometers to the appropriate laboratories for routine
or special calibrations in every case. A considerable advantage
is realized when site problems associated with temperature reading
errors are suspected; the "system" can be set up anywhere
to permit fast and convenient probe checking.

The "System"
is supplied with the appropriate Traceable certifications and
thus qualifies as a traceable calibration standard. This approach
is not an alternative to the calibration laboratory but will
complement the established National Laboratory calibration procedures.
The kit uses a metal block thermal reference to provide very
stable isothermal temperatures between -50oC and 1100oC which
are measured with a calibrated sensor and a Labfacility Labcal
PRO digital indicator.

Any temperature
measurement installation comprises the sensor (with or without
a signal convertor/transmitter), interconnecting wires and an
associated instrument display/computer). In order to verify the
overall accuracy of measurement, a heat source (thermal reference)
must be used to generate an accurately known stable temperature
which is measured independently of the installation.

The probe from
the site installation is inserted in the thermal block and its
reading is compared with the known (calibrated) temperature.
The Labcal PRO is a laboratory standard digital temperature meter
with many important and useful features. It is designed to provide
fast, precise temperature measurement on an absolute or comparative
basis.

For example,
a display of either the reference sensor or the installed sensor
value can be selected in sequence or as a differential temperature.
Since the indicator remembers the corrected readings of the reference
sensor, the display directly indicates its actual temperature.
The difference reading shown, say +0.5oC is thus the total actual
error in the installation; the user does not have to refer to
tables or carry out calculations.

Readings can
be displayed in oC, oF, Kelvin, millivolts or Ohms as desired,
which makes the system attractive to both industrial and laboratory
users. The microprocessor based instrument is digitally configured
for thermocouple ( types J, K, T, E, N, R, S & B) and Pt100
sensors; calibrated sensors can have their "Cal-point"
values set into a memory in which case the instrument can display
direct, corrected temperatures with probe tolerances eliminated
from readings. Display resolution is 0.01oC.

A calibration
certificate is available for the reference sensor and indicator
combination which can be periodically recertified at an appropriate
laboratory. The complete system is easily transported and can
be carried by one person. It can be used in electrically "noisy"
environments and is ruggedly constructed. A fast warm-up feature
of the dry block calibrator allows readings to be made within
15 to 30 minutes from "switch-on". A wide range of
reference temperatures between -50oC and +1100oC can be provided.
Designed for ease of use, readings are provided directly in oC
or oF as required without the need for calculation from tables.